Rainwater collection system

ABSTRACT

A rainwater-collection device includes a tank with an upper portion, a lower portion, a rainwater inlet at the upper portion, a rainwater overflow outlet at the upper portion, and a rainwater drain outlet at the lower portion. The inlet couples to an upper downspout segment of a gutter system of a building and the overflow outlet couples to a lower downspout segment in positions so that rainwater coming down the upper downspout flows into the tank through the inlet, and once the rainwater fills the tank, then the excess water overflows out of the tank through the overflow outlet, down the lower downspout segment, and away from the building. Methods of installing the collection device include separating the existing downspout into the upper and lower downspout segments and coupling them to the rainwater inlet and overflow outlets, respectively, without the need to trim down the downspout.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/252,739, filed Oct. 19, 2009, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to rainwater collection systems and, in particular, to rainwater collection systems and installation methods for inline connection to a downspout of a building.

BACKGROUND

Water conservation is increasingly becoming an important issue, and devices that save on water use are being used by more and more people. Low-flow showerheads and toilets, for example, are now commonplace. In addition, some people have installed in their homes gray-water systems, which store water from the kitchen sink drain for reuse when watering landscaping and gardens. Furthermore, there have been introduced rain barrels that connect to the downspouts of gutter systems. These rain barrels store rainwater so that it can be used for watering landscaping and gardens or for other uses.

Rain barrels are very effective at conserving water because they can store a large amount of water that has not been treated and delivered through the local water system. However, they have deficiencies and have not gained wide acceptance. In particular, most rain barrels can overflow during heavy rains, and the overflow can cause water saturation and erosion problems at the foundation of the building. To avoid this, some rain barrels attach to the downspout by a valve assembly, but these valve assemblies are complicated and introduce additional problems.

Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for improved rainwater collection devices that are easy to install and use without causing water problems to building foundations. It is to the provision of devices meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY

Generally described, the present invention relates to a rainwater collection device and an installation method for inline connection of the rainwater collection device to a downspout. The collection device includes a tank with an upper portion and a lower portion. The tank upper portion includes a top wall and the uppermost portion of a sidewall, and the tank lower portion includes a bottom wall and the lowermost portion of a sidewall. In addition, the collection device includes a rainwater inlet at the tank upper portion, a rainwater overflow outlet at the tank upper portion, and a rainwater drain outlet at the tank lower portion.

The rainwater inlet couples to an upper downspout segment of a gutter system of a building and the rainwater overflow outlet couples to a lower downspout segment. In these positions, rainwater flowing down the upper downspout segment flows into the tank through the inlet. And once the rainwater fills the tank up to the overflow outlet, then the excess water will overflow out of the tank through the overflow outlet, down the lower downspout segment, and away from the building. So the overflow water is automatically and naturally directed away from the foundation of the building.

In typical commercial embodiments, the rainwater inlet includes a mounting collar and an inlet opening defined by the outer edge of the inlet collar. And the rainwater outlet includes a mounting collar and an outlet opening defined by the outer edge of the outlet collar. When installed, the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment is positioned at or below the elevation of the rainwater inlet opening, the top edge of the lower downspout segment is at or above the elevation of the overflow outlet opening, and the lower downspout segment has the correct length to extend from the overflow outlet to the ground (touching or just above the ground). Also, the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment and the top edge of the lower downspout segment are positioned at the same height and inside of the tank (within the tank walls or mounting collars). In this way, no (or only very little) trimming down of the lengths of the downspout segments is needed, and no additional segments of downspout need to be inserted inline.

A method of installing the collection device includes separating an existing downspout into the upper and lower downspout segments and coupling them to the rainwater inlet and overflow outlets, respectively. In typical commercial embodiments, the installation method includes the step of separating the existing downspout at a location that leaves the upper downspout segment with a bottom edge that is at or below the elevation of the inlet opening. The resulting lower downspout segment formed by the split has a top edge that is at or above the elevation of the overflow outlet opening and has the correct length to extend from the overflow outlet to the ground. Accordingly, the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment is at the same height as the top edge of the lower downspout segment, with these two downspout-segment edges being inside of the tank (within the tank walls or mounting collars). In this way, no (or only very little) trimming down of the lengths of the downspout segments is needed, and no additional segments of downspout need to be inserted inline. This keeps the installation time and effort to a minimum, and results in a cleaner and more attractive-looking installation.

The specific techniques and structures employed to improve over the drawbacks of the prior devices and accomplish the advantages described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description of the example embodiments and the appended drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a rainwater collection device according to a first example embodiment of the present invention, showing a tank with a rainwater inlet connected to an upper downspout segment, a rainwater overflow outlet connected to a lower downspout segment, and a rainwater drain outlet.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the rainwater collection device of FIG. 1 in use, showing rainwater filling the tank.

FIG. 3 shows the rainwater collection device of FIG. 2 with the rainwater overflowing out of the filled the tank and away from the building.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional detail view of a portion of the rainwater collection device of FIG. 1, showing the relative positioning of the rainwater inlet and the overflow outlet.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional detail view of a portion of a rainwater collection device according to a first alternative embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional detail view of a portion of a rainwater collection device according to a second alternative embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a portion of the rainwater collection device of FIG. 1 with the downspout segments not attached to the rainwater inlet and the overflow outlet.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the existing downspout before installing the rainwater collection device of FIG. 1, according to an installation method of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows the existing downspout of FIG. 8 being separated into the upper and lower downspout segments.

FIG. 10 shows the upper downspout segment of FIG. 9 being connected to the rainwater inlet of the rainwater collection device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 shows the lower downspout segment of FIG. 9 being connected to the overflow outlet of the rainwater collection device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a rainwater collection device according to a second example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the rainwater collection device of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a front detail view of a portion of a rainwater collection device according to a third example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a rainwater collection device according to a fourth example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the rainwater collection device of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a front side view of the rainwater collection device of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a right side view of the rainwater collection device of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the rainwater collection device of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Generally described, the present invention relates to a rainwater collection device and an installation method for inline connection of the rainwater collection device to a downspout. The collection device can be installed on new or existing buildings to provide for a permanent, attractive means of collecting rainwater as a supplement for watering plants, shrubs, yards, etc., or for other gray-water uses The collection device can be provided in a number of different designer colors to compliment the exterior of the building, and can be provided in a number of different sizes/capacities and shapes for use with different-sized buildings, whether residential, commercial, industrial, and/or storage.

FIGS. 1-4 and 7 show a rainwater collection device 10 according to a first example embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the collection device 10 includes a tank 12, a rainwater inlet 14 at an upper portion of the tank, a rainwater overflow outlet 16 at an upper portion of the tank, and a rainwater drain outlet 18 at a lower portion of the tank.

The tank 12 may be made of a molded plastic, a metal, or another material selected for strength and durability. The tank 12 is sized sufficiently large to provide a water collection capacity suitable for the particular application. In a typical commercial embodiment for home use, for example, the tank 12 is sized to have a 25 gallon capacity. The tank 12 can be rectangular with a bottom wall, a top wall, and four sidewalls (as depicted), it can be cylindrical, or it can have another regular or irregular shape.

In addition, the top wall 13 of the tank 12 (or an uppermost portion of one or more of the sidewalls) can include an access panel portion 20. The access panel 20 opens to access the inside of the tank for cleaning and for removing water (e.g., by dipping out), instead of only being able to remove the water through the drain outlet 18. The access panel 20 can be configured to pivot open (e.g., by hinges), to be completely removable, or to slide open, or it can be otherwise configured for moving to an open position exposing an access opening through the tank 12.

Furthermore, the tank 12 can be provided with an internal filter (not shown) for removing leaves and other debris from the water before the water is removed through the drain outlet 18. The filter can be in the form of a drop-in screen basket that can be inserted and removed through the access opening of the tank 12 when the access panel 20 is in the open position (not shown). As such, the filter and the access opening are sized and shaped to permit the filter to be passed through the access opening. The drop-in screen basket can be supported by the bottom of the tank 12 or by brackets mounted to and extending inward from the sidewalls of the tank. In some embodiments, an additional or alternative baffle or filter is installed in the gutter above the tank 12. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other filtration devices can be included in the collection device 10, as may be desired in a given application.

In the depicted embodiment, the tank 12 is mounted on a base 22 with legs 24. The base 22 is made of painted aluminum or another material selected for strength and durability to support the load of the tank 12 when filled with rainwater. In some embodiments, the base 22 is integrally formed as the bottom wall of the tank 12.

The legs 24 are preferably vertically adjustable for leveling the tank 12 on uneven ground. For example, each of the legs 24 can include two telescopic leg segments that are extendable/retractable relative to each other. In typical embodiments, the leg segments include mating threads and are extendable by rotating one of the leg segments relative to the other one, or they include a series of apertures in one segment and an aperture in the other segment that aligns with each of the apertures to receive a pin through them. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other vertically adjustable leg assemblies can be included in the collection device 10, as may be desired in a given application. In some embodiments, the legs of the collection device 10 are not vertically adjustable, and the device is mounted on leveled ground and/or a pad.

The rainwater drain outlet 18 is located at a lower portion of the tank 12 such as the bottom wall or the lowermost portion of one of the sidewalls. In the depicted embodiment, the drain outlet 18 includes an opening in the tank 12 and a conventional spigot assembly (an “el” pipe and valve) that extends from the tank 12 at the opening. The drain outlet 18 can be used to fill water cans/pails, to attach a water hose, etc., to remove and make use of the rainwater collected in the tank 12.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 2 and 3, the rainwater inlet 14 is located at an upper portion of the tank 12, that is, the top wall 13 or the uppermost portion of one of the sidewalls. As used herein, the uppermost portion of one of the sidewalls is the portion of that sidewall that is immediately adjacent and below the top wall. The rainwater inlet 14 couples to an upper segment 26 of an existing (or new) downspout. Similarly, the rainwater overflow outlet 16 is located at an upper portion of the tank 12 (the top wall 13 or the uppermost portion of one of the sidewalls). The rainwater overflow outlet 16 couples to a lower segment 28 of an existing (or new) downspout. In this arrangement, rainwater 30 coming down the upper downspout 26 will flow into the tank 12 through the inlet 14 to fill up the tank with the rainwater, as shown in FIG. 2. And when the rainwater 30 fills the tank 12 up to the overflow outlet 16, then the excess collected water 32 will overflow out of the tank 12 through the overflow outlet, down the lower downspout 28, out of the “el” section 29 at the bottom of the lower downspout, and away from the building 2, as shown in FIG. 3. The result is that the excess water 32 overflows naturally and automatically out of the tank 12 and away from the building 2, without the need for complicated valving.

Referring additionally to FIG. 4, the relative positioning of the rainwater inlet 14 and the overflow outlet 16 on the tank 12 is advantageous for the additional reason that it allows the collection device 10 to be installed inline into an existing downspout without having to add any new lengths of downspout or trim down the existing downspout. As shown, the inlet 14 and the overflow outlet 16 are positioned at comparable vertical positions on the upper portion of the tank 12. In particular, the inlet 14 includes an opening 34 in the tank 12 located at an upper portion of the tank 12 (the top wall 13 or the uppermost portion of one of the sidewalls) and the overflow outlet 16 includes an opening 36 in an upper portion of the tank (the top wall or the uppermost portion of one of the sidewalls). In the depicted embodiment, the inlet 14 includes a mounting collar 44 that extends from one of the walls of the tank 12 and connects to the upper downspout segment 26, and the overflow outlet 16 includes a mounting collar 46 that extends from one of the walls of the tank and connects to the lower downspout segment 28, with the open outer ends of the collars defining the inlet opening 44 and the overflow outlet opening 46 of the tank. So when the downspout is split at a location that leaves the upper downspout segment 26 with a bottom edge 40 that is at or below the elevation of the inlet opening 34, then the resulting lower downspout segment 28 formed by the split has a top edge 42 that is at or above the elevation of the overflow outlet opening 36 and has the correct length to extend from the overflow outlet to the ground 4. Accordingly, the bottom edge 40 of the upper downspout segment 26 is at the same height as the top edge 42 of the lower downspout segment 28, with these two downspout-segment edges being inside of the tank 12 (meaning within the tanks walls or mounting collars). In this way, little or no trimming down of the lengths of the downspout segments 26 and 28 is needed, and no additional segments of downspout need to be inserted inline. This keeps the installation time and effort to a minimum, and results in a cleaner and more attractive-looking installation (any new segments of downspout would not have a color that precisely matches the existing downspout segments).

It will be noted that in the depicted embodiment the opening 34 of the inlet 14 is above the opening 36 of the overflow outlet 16, with an excess length of the upper downspout segment 26 extending harmlessly into the tank 12. This excess length of the upper segment 26 can be removed during installation if desired. In other embodiments, the inlet opening is below the overflow outlet opening, and an extra length of downspout is provided (e.g., by the installer) and connected to the upper or lower downspout segment.

A rainwater collection device 10 a according to a first alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. As in the first example embodiment, in this alternative embodiment the bottom edge 40 a of the upper downspout segment 26 a is at or below the elevation of the opening 34 a of the rainwater inlet 14 a, the top edge 42 a of the lower downspout segment 28 a is at or above the elevation of the opening 36 a of the overflow outlet 16 a, the lower downspout segment has the correct length to extend from the overflow outlet to the ground, and the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment and the top edge of the lower downspout segment are positioned at the same height Ha and inside of the tank 12 a (meaning within the tank walls or mounting collars 44 a and 46 a). In this embodiment, the mounting collar 46 a of the overflow outlet 16 a is integrally formed as a part of the tank 12 a.

And a rainwater collection device 10 b according to a second alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. As in the first example embodiment, in this alternative embodiment the bottom edge 40 b of the upper downspout segment 26 b is at or below the elevation of the opening 34 b of the rainwater inlet 14 b, the top edge 42 b of the lower downspout segment 28 b is at or above the elevation of the opening 36 b of the overflow outlet 16 b, the lower downspout segment has the correct length to extend from the overflow outlet to the ground, and the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment and the top edge of the lower downspout segment are positioned at the same height Hb and inside of the tank 12 b (meaning within the tank walls or mounting collars 44 b and 46 b). In this embodiment, the bottom edge 40 b of the upper downspout segment 26 b is below the opening 34 b defined by the mounting collar 44 a of the inlet 14 b, though it is not below the opening in the tank sidewall from which the inlet collar 44 b extends. It will be noted that in this embodiment the inlet collar 46 b will hold water when the tank 12 b is full, so it is designed to handle this load, but there will be little or no water in the upper downspout segment 26 b, so it can be used without modification. It will also be noted that in this embodiment the opening 34 b of the inlet 14 b is at almost the same height Hb as the opening 36 b of the overflow outlet 16 b.

In other alternative embodiments, the rainwater inlet and/or the overflow outlet do not include a mounting collar. In one such embodiment, the tank top wall itself defines the inlet opening through which the upper downspout segment can be inserted (instead of a mounting collar defining the inlet opening). The upper downspout segment can then be secured in place by a snap-fit coupling along the periphery of the inlet opening, by straps mounting it to the building, or by other conventional securement structures, or it can be held in place vertically by hanging from the gutter and horizontally by the periphery of the tank inlet opening. In another such embodiment, the collection device is provided with the overflow outlet not including an overflow mounting collar, but with the overflow mounting collar to be provided separately (e.g., by the installer). The separately-provided overflow mounting collar, though not packaged with the collection device, still defines the overflow opening (not the opening in the tank sidewall).

The downspout segments 26 and 28 can be coupled to the tank 12 in any of several different ways. Referring additionally to FIG. 7, the depicted embodiment includes the mounting collars 44 and 46 that extend from the tank 12, define the inlet and overflow outlet openings, and are shaped and sized for connecting to the particular existing downspout segments 26 and 28, respectively. The mounting collars 44 and 46 extend around the periphery of the downspout segments 26 and 28 and can be provided in various forms. In the depicted embodiment, the inlet collar 44 is in the form of an outwardly extending rectangular flange, and the outlet collar 46 is in the form of an outwardly extending rectangular “el” joint or hood. In other embodiments, the mounting collars 44 and 46 are in the form of inwardly extending rectangular or cylindrical flanges, or they can be provided by other collar-like structures for coupling to downspouts in a telescopic arrangement.

The collection device 10 can be provided in several different models, each having mounting collars 44 and 46 configured for a particular downspout shape and size such as rectangular (2×3, 3×4, or 4×5-inch), round (3, 4, 5, or 6-inch), spiral (4-inch twisted thin spiral, 4-inch twisted thick spiral), etc. Such mounting collars 44 and 46 are made of a material selected for strength and durability, such as aluminum, steel, or plastic. The downspout segments 26 and 28 are connected to the collars 44 and 46, respectively, by conventional fasteners such as screws, straps, clamps, adhesives, snap-fit couplings etc., with or without the use of a sealant or washer. In embodiments for installation with a new downspout, the mounting collars (or the respective tank wall for collar-less designs) and the new downspout can be provided with snap-fit couplings.

In alternative embodiments, one or both of the mounting collars include an adjustable portion for connection to any of a range of different downspout sizes and/or shapes. In one such embodiment, the adjustable portion includes a band at the outer end of each collar that is made of an elastic material such as rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, or the like. The elastic band has a peripheral dimension selected to fit snugly onto the smallest desired size of downspout and is constructed to stretch to fit onto the largest desired size of downspout, so a range of downspout sizes and shapes can be used with the same collection device. In another such embodiment, the adjustable portion includes a flexible sleeve (e.g., made of rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, or water-proof canvas) and a clamp at its outer end.

Methods of installing the collection device 10 to collect rainwater are shown in FIGS. 8-11. A method of retrofitting the collection device 10 on an existing downspout will be described first. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, first the existing downspout 27 is separated into the upper segment 26 and the lower segment 28. The location/height of the separation is selected based on the location/height of the rainwater inlet 14 and the overflow outlet 16, as described with respect to FIG. 4. The downspout 27 can be separated into the two segments by, for example, cutting it or separating it at a joint (i.e., at the ends of two lengths of an assembled downspout). Next, the tank 12 is installed into place. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the upper segment 26 of the downspout 27 is coupled to the rainwater inlet 14. And as shown in FIG. 11, the lower segment 28 of the downspout 27 is coupled to the overflow outlet 16. The steps of FIGS. 10 and 11 can be performed in either order. In this way, no (or only very little) trimming down of the lengths of the downspout segments 26 and 28 is needed, and no additional segments of downspout need to be inserted inline. This keeps the installation time and effort to a minimum, and results in a cleaner and more attractive-looking installation (as noted above).

A similar method is used to install the collection device 10 when installing a new downspout. This can be done when replacing only an existing downspout of an existing gutter system or when installing/replacing an entire new gutter system (whether a replacement installation on an existing building or a new-construction installation on a new-construction building). This method includes the additional step of connecting the upper downspout upper segment 26 to the gutter system, for example, after separating it from the downspout lower segment 28 but before connecting it to the rainwater inlet 14.

Another installation method is used to install an alternative collection device including an integral lower downspout segment. In such an installation, the collection device already includes the lower downspout segment 28, so the step of attaching a lower downspout segment to the overflow outlet 16 is eliminated. And for alternative collection devices without integral mounting collars, an installation method can include the additional step of connecting the mounting collars 44 and 46 to the tank.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a rainwater collection device 110 according to a second example embodiment of the invention. The collection device 110 is similar to that of the first embodiment described above. For example, the collection device 110 includes a tank 112, a rainwater inlet 114 at an upper portion of the tank, a rainwater overflow outlet 116 at an upper portion of the tank, and a rainwater drain outlet 118 at a lower portion of the tank. The rainwater inlet 114 couples to an upper downspout segment 126 and the rainwater overflow outlet 116 couples to a lower downspout segment 128. When installed, the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment is positioned at or below the elevation of the opening of the rainwater inlet 114, the top edge of the lower downspout segment is at or above the elevation of the opening of the overflow outlet 116, the lower downspout segment has the correct length to extend from the overflow outlet to the ground, and the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment and the top edge of the lower downspout segment are positioned at the same height and inside of the tank 112 (meaning within the tank walls or mounting collars).

In this embodiment, however, instead of only single-sized collars, the tank 112 is provided with adapter collars 144 and 146 that each can be used with a range of different shaped and sized downspouts. The depicted adapter collars 144 and 146 include adjustable portions such as stepped sections each having a different size and/or shape, and each of the sections can be removed (e.g., by breaking them off at peripheral reduced-thickness wall regions or by cutting them off) to leave a collar having the desired size and/or shape. In other embodiments, the tank is provided with adapter collars having other types of adjustable portions, for example, ones with smoothly graduated breakaway sections each having a different size and/or shape, or with punch-out sections each having a different size and/or shape and located in a top or side wall of the tank itself.

In addition, the tank 112 is shaped to have a lower profile so that it is not as readily noticeable and can be concealed behind shrubbery. That is, the tank 112 has a lesser height and a greater width/length (relative to the tank of the first embodiment). To accommodate the greater width/length without the tank 112 overflowing through the overflow outlet 116 prematurely, the tank includes an elevated portion 150 where the overflow outlet is located and where the lower downspout segment 128 attaches. In the depicted embodiment, the elevated portion 150 is in the form of an open-sided box positioned atop the top wall of the tank 112. So the tank 122 completely fills up before overflowing. The lengths of the adapter collars 144 and 146 compensate for the small amount of missing downspout length (otherwise, the top of the lower downspout segment could be below the bottom of the upper segment), so no additional downspout segments need to be installed. Furthermore, to accommodate the greater width/length without the tank 112 retaining excess rainwater, the tank 112 includes an angled bottom 122 with a low point where the rainwater pools, and the drain outlet 118 is located at that low area.

FIG. 14 shows a rainwater collection device 210 according to a third example embodiment of the invention. The collection device 210 is similar to that of the embodiments described above. For example, the collection device 210 includes a tank 212, a rainwater inlet 214 at an upper portion of the tank, a rainwater overflow outlet 216 at an upper portion of the tank, and a rainwater drain outlet (not shown) at a lower portion of the tank. The rainwater inlet 214 couples to an upper downspout segment 226 and the rainwater overflow outlet 216 couples to a lower downspout segment 228. When installed, the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment is positioned at or below the elevation of the opening of the rainwater inlet 214, the top edge of the lower downspout segment is at or above the elevation of the opening of the overflow outlet 216, the lower downspout segment has the correct length to extend from the overflow outlet to the ground, and the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment and the top edge of the lower downspout segment are positioned at the same height and inside of the tank 212 (meaning within the tank walls or mounting collars).

In this embodiment, however, the tank 212 includes an elevated portion 250 with the inlet 214 (and thus the inlet collar 244) as well as the overflow outlet 216 (and thus the outlet collar 246). So both the upper downspout segment 226 and the lower downspout segment 228 attach to this single elevated portion 250. This arrangement further reduces the likelihood of any need to install additional pieces of downspout.

FIGS. 15-19 show a rainwater collection device 310 according to a fourth example embodiment of the invention. The collection device 310 is similar to that of the embodiments described above. For example, the collection device 310 includes a tank 312, at least one rainwater inlet 314 at an upper portion of the tank, a rainwater overflow outlet 316 at an upper portion of the tank, and at least one rainwater drain outlet 318 at a lower portion of the tank. The rainwater inlet 314 couples to an upper downspout segment (not shown) and the rainwater overflow outlet 216 is attached to a lower downspout segment 328. It should be noted that the dimensions shown in FIGS. 15-18 are representative of a typical commercial embodiment and are not limiting of the invention.

In this embodiment, however, the tank 312 has a hemi-cylindrical (half-barrel) shape that, with the example dimensions indicated, can hold about 42 gallons of rainwater and automatically overflow after that. In addition, the legs 324 (five are included in this embodiment) are adjustable for the grade and can be made of the same material as the tank 312. The leg adjustment can be in one-inch increments, with the legs 324 each having two telescopic segments with alignable holes that receive metal pins 325 to hold them together in the desired vertically adjusted position. The adjustable legs 324 allow the collection device 310 to stand level without upsetting the grade downward and away from the building, with overflow water being directed away from the building foundation. In typical commercial embodiments, the tank 312 and the legs 324 are molded together from a single integral mold. The adjustable legs 324 are removable and vertically adjustable, and can be mounted onto the tank 312 during the installation. Also, the access panel 320 is openable to access a filter 354 (e.g., a plastic or metal screen) in the tank 312 for cleaning debris from the inlet rainwater. The access panel 320 can be openable by pivoting about a hinge 321 (as depicted), or it can slide open, be completely removable, etc.

In addition, the tank 312 includes multiple rainwater inlets 314, and the upper downspout segment can be coupled to any of them. In the depicted embodiment, for example, there are three rainwater inlets 314. Downspouts are usually at comers of the buildings, and this embodiment allows the installer to choose which of the three inlets 314 (i.e., one of the side inlets or the center inlet) will work best in each individual installation. The collection device 310 is provided with inlet covers 315 that cover the inlets 314, and the installer removes only the cover for the inlet to be used in that particular installation. The inlet covers 315 can be fabricated in thin sheets (e.g., from metal or plastic) and prefinished in the same color as the tank 312 for aesthetics. This allows the installer to cut out (e.g., using tin snips) a custom shape of a downspout cross-section in one of the inlet covers 315 to snugly receive the downspout through the cut-out. In alternative embodiments, the inlet covers are attached and removed by fasteners (e.g., screws) or integrally formed with the tank to include peripheral reduced-thickness wall regions so they can be punched out.

Furthermore, the lower downspout segment 328 of this embodiment is an integrally provided part of the collection device 310. Thus, the downspout segment 328 can be attached to the tank 312 at the rainwater overflow outlet 316 at the factory (or assembled on-site) and/or it can be provided in a color and texture matching the rest of the tank. If desired, an additional length of downspout can be attached to the bottom of the lower downspout segment to deposit the overflow water even farther away from the building's foundation. Also, multiple rainwater drain outlets 318 (e.g., spigots) can be provided, for example, one on each side of the tank 312, as depicted.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions, or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only. Thus, the terminology is intended to be broadly construed and is not intended to be unnecessarily limiting of the claimed invention. For example, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “one” include the plural, the term “or” means “and/or,” and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, any methods described herein are not intended to be limited to the sequence of steps described but can be carried out in other sequences, unless expressly stated otherwise herein.

While the invention has been shown and described in exemplary forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. A device for collecting rainwater, the collection device for connecting to a downspout of a building, the downspout extending to ground, the collection device comprising: a tank with an upper portion and a lower portion; a rainwater inlet that is positioned at the upper portion of the tank, includes an inlet opening, and couples to an upper segment of the downspout; a rainwater overflow outlet that is positioned at the upper portion of the tank, includes an overflow outlet opening, and couples to a lower segment of the downspout; and a rainwater drain outlet that is located at the lower portion of the tank, wherein the rainwater flows down the upper downspout and into the tank through the inlet, and once the rainwater fills the tank up to the overflow outlet opening, then excess of the rainwater overflows out of the tank through the overflow outlet, down the lower downspout segment, and away from the building.
 2. The rainwater collection device of claim 1, wherein the inlet and the overflow outlet are positioned on the tank such that the upper and lower segments of the downspout, respectively, can be coupled to thereto without the need for any additional segments of new downspout and without the need to trim down the upper or lower downspout segment.
 3. The rainwater collection device of claim 1, wherein the inlet opening and the overflow outlet opening are positioned on the tank such that, when assembled for use, a bottom edge of the upper downspout segment is at an elevation that is at or below the rainwater inlet opening, a top edge of the lower downspout segment is at an elevation that is at or above the elevation of the overflow outlet opening, the elevation of the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment is the same as the elevation of the top edge of the lower downspout segment, the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment and the top edge of the lower downspout segment are positioned inside of the tank, and the lower downspout segment extends from the overflow outlet to the ground.
 4. The rainwater collection device of claim 1, wherein the inlet opening is at an elevation that is at or above an elevation of the overflow outlet opening.
 5. The rainwater collection device of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the tank includes a top wall and an uppermost portion of at least one sidewall of the tank, and the lower portion of the tank includes a bottom wall and a lowermost portion of at least one sidewall of the tank.
 6. The rainwater collection device of claim 1, wherein the inlet includes an inlet mounting collar that couples to the upper downspout segment and defines the inlet opening, the overflow outlet includes an overflow outlet mounting collar that couples to the lower downspout segment and defines the overflow outlet opening, or both.
 7. The rainwater collection device of claim 6, wherein the inlet collar includes an outwardly extending flange.
 8. The rainwater collection device of claim 6, wherein the overflow outlet collar includes an “el” joint.
 9. The rainwater collection device of claim 6, wherein at least one of the mounting collars includes an adjustable portion that adjustably couples to a range of downspout sizes, shapes, or both.
 10. The rainwater collection device of claim 1, wherein the tank includes an elevated portion positioned above a top wall of the tank and wherein the inlet, the overflow outlet, or both are positioned on the elevated portion.
 11. The rainwater collection device of claim 1, wherein the tank includes a plurality of the inlet openings and a matching number of covers for the inlet openings.
 12. The rainwater collection device of claim 1, wherein the lower downspout segment is provided as a new component of the collection device instead of being provided by an existing component of the downspout.
 13. A device for collecting rainwater, the collection device for connecting to a downspout of a building, the downspout extending to ground and including an upper segment and a lower segment, the collection device comprising: a tank with an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion of the tank includes a top wall and an uppermost portion of at least one sidewall of the tank, and the lower portion of the tank includes a bottom wall and a lowermost portion of at least one sidewall of the tank; a rainwater inlet that includes an inlet mounting collar that is positioned on the upper portion of the tank, defines an inlet opening, and couples to an upper segment of the downspout; a rainwater overflow outlet that includes an overflow outlet mounting collar that is positioned on the upper portion of the tank, defines an overflow outlet opening, and couples to a lower segment of the downspout; and a rainwater drain outlet that is located at the lower portion of the tank, wherein the rainwater flows down the upper downspout and into the tank through the inlet, and once the rainwater fills the tank up to the overflow outlet opening, then excess of the rainwater overflows out of the tank through the overflow outlet, down the lower downspout segment, and away from the building, and wherein the inlet opening and the overflow outlet opening are positioned on the tank such that, when assembled for use, a bottom edge of the upper downspout segment is at an elevation that is at or below the rainwater inlet opening, a top edge of the lower downspout segment is at an elevation that is at or above the elevation of the overflow outlet opening, the elevation of the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment is the same as the elevation of the top edge of the lower downspout segment, the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment and the top edge of the lower downspout segment are positioned inside of the tank, and the lower downspout segment extends from the overflow outlet to the ground.
 14. The rainwater collection device of claim 13, wherein the inlet and the overflow outlet are positioned on the tank such that the upper and lower segments of the downspout, respectively, can be coupled to thereto without the need for any additional segments of new downspout and without the need to trim down the upper or lower downspout segment.
 15. The rainwater collection device of claim 13, wherein the inlet collar, the overflow outlet collar, or both include an adjustable portion that adjustably couples to a range of downspout sizes, shapes, or both.
 16. The rainwater collection device of claim 13, wherein the tank includes an elevated portion positioned above a top wall of the tank and wherein the inlet, the overflow outlet, or both are positioned on the elevated portion.
 17. The rainwater collection device of claim 13, wherein the tank includes a plurality of the inlet openings and a matching number of covers for the inlet openings.
 18. A method of installing a rainwater collection device inline with an existing downspout of a building, the downspout extending to ground, the installation method comprising: providing the rainwater collection device with a tank having an upper portion and a lower portion, a rainwater inlet that is positioned at the upper portion of the tank, includes an inlet opening, and couples to an upper segment of the downspout, a rainwater overflow outlet that is positioned at the upper portion of the tank, includes an overflow outlet opening, and couples to a lower segment of the downspout, and a rainwater drain outlet that is located at the lower portion of the tank, separating the existing downspout into an upper segment and a lower segment; coupling the upper downspout segment to the tank at the inlet opening; and coupling the lower downspout segment to the tank at the overflow outlet opening, wherein the step of separating the existing downspout includes separating the existing downspout at a location such that, when installed for use, a bottom edge of the upper downspout segment is at an elevation that is at or below the rainwater inlet opening, a top edge of the lower downspout segment is at an elevation that is at or above the elevation of the overflow outlet opening, the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment and the top edge of the lower downspout segment are positioned inside of the tank, the lower downspout segment extends from the overflow outlet to the ground, no additional segments of new downspout need be connected to the upper or lower segments of the existing downspout, and neither the upper or lower downspout segment need be trimmed down wherein, once installed, the rainwater flows down the upper downspout and into the tank through the inlet, and once the rainwater fills the tank up to the overflow outlet opening, then excess of the rainwater overflows out of the tank through the overflow outlet, down the lower downspout segment, and away from the building.
 19. The installation method of claim 18, wherein the step of separating the existing downspout includes separating the existing downspout at a location such that, when installed for use, the elevation of the bottom edge of the upper downspout segment is the same as the elevation of the top edge of the lower downspout segment.
 20. The installation method of claim 18, wherein the step of providing the rainwater collection device includes providing the tank with an inlet mounting collar that defines the inlet opening and with an overflow outlet mounting collar that defines the overflow outlet opening, wherein the step of coupling the upper downspout segment to the tank includes coupling the upper downspout segment to the inlet collar, and wherein the step of coupling the lower downspout segment to the tank includes coupling the lower downspout segment to the overflow outlet collar. 